NATO divisions and usual warmongers (UK and US): Russia and Ukraine Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) have involved themselves in the destabilization of Europe – along with other NATO powers (France concerning Libya and Turkey in Syria) – for many decades. Hence, from supporting…
Japan Covid-19 infections reach a daily high of 46,200 Kanako Mita and Noriko Watanabe Modern Tokyo Times A limited State of Emergency in Japan looks set to cover the regions of Hyogo, Kyoto, and Osaka. This concerns the increasing numbers of daily infections of coronavirus (Covid-19) since the New Year period. Yoshimura Hirofumi, the Governor…
Japan art, China, and Zen Buddhism: Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769) was a highly revered Zen Buddhist who utilized art, calligraphy, and other cultural angles to promote Buddhism. Rinzai Buddhism was stagnating because many ordinary people felt isolated. Therefore, Hakuin – and Sengai Gibon (1750-1837), a fellow Rinzai…
Saitama tourism and Buddhism: Delightful Chichibu Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Chichibu is a great place to visit. This concerns refreshing the soul, connecting with nature, walking in the mountains, enjoying outdoor sports, shopping for cultural items, and browsing around this lovely part of Saitama. Also, the landscape, irrespective of whether…
Tokyo and other regions set for quasi Covid-19 measures Sawako Utsumi and Sawako Uchida Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Fumio Kishida looks set to introduce a quasi-State of Emergency in Tokyo and ten other prefectures throughout Japan. Hiroshima, Okinawa, and Yamaguchi are already under similar measures. Therefore, this will bring 14 of the 47 prefectures…
UNHCR calls for support to end Sahel conflicts: Libya, Nigeria, and Islamists Kanako Mita, Sawako Utsumi, and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Sahel and Lake Chad region faces many ethnic and religious issues. Hence, Islamic terrorism blights countless nations throughout the region. Ethnic tensions and fragile political systems also persist. Therefore, al-Qaeda and…
Japan hits 25,000 Covid-19 daily infections Kanako Mita and Noriko Watanabe Modern Tokyo Times The rebound in daily coronavirus (Covid-19) infections in Japan continues unabated since the New Year period. Hence, 25,744 new daily infections were announced today. Reports from South Africa to the United Kingdom indicate that the Omicron coronavirus variant is milder than…
Former PM Toshiki Kaifu dies aged 91: A friend of China (1989-1991) Kanako Mita, Sawako Utsumi, and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The former Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu dies at the age of 91. According to the Japanese government, he passed away earlier this month. He led Japan between 1989-1991. However, in China, he…
Dutch winter landscapes based on Hendrick Avercamp by Japanese artist Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi adores Dutch art. This concerns the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries because this period was a Golden Age concerning the number of esteemed Dutch artists with unique styles (all inspired by Dutch and Flemish Renaissance…
North Korea weapons program: Japan watching from afar Kanako Mita and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Korean Peninsula is witnessing an upsurge in new sophisticated weapons. Hence, North Korea and South Korea – despite tensions not being heightened in recent times – are focused on strengthening their respective military capabilities. However, for Japan,…
Japan art and Western influence in late Edo and early Meiji Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Utagawa Sadahide (Gountei Sadahide) lived during a period of momentous changes in Japan. This concerns the ending of the Edo Period that began in 1603 and was eclipsed by the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Sadahide was born in…
Japan maintains tight border controls concerning the Omicron variant Sawako Utsumi and Sawako Uchida Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan is maintaining tight border controls concerning the Omicron Covid-19 (coronavirus) variant that is highly infectious. Hence, Kishida said Japan would preserve its policy until late February and then review the situation. Since…
Endless massacres by Islamists in Nigeria: Boko, ISIS, Turji loyalists, Fulani, and others Kanako Mita, Sawako Utsumi, and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times At least 200 villagers have been killed in the latest terrorist attack to blight Nigeria. The one connection behind much of the carnage in Nigeria is the Islamist angle. Equally, just…
The call of faith in the heart of Tokyo Kanako Mita and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The faiths of Buddhism and Shintoism dot the Japanese landscape. Meanwhile, the impact of Confucianism and Taoism can be felt – and other ideas that have guided this nation throughout its history. Therefore, when visiting Tokyo, the…
Tokyu Railways serving the Tokyo area wants to hike prices by 12.9 percent Kanako Mita and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times The economic coronavirus (Covid-19) convulsions are especially hitting railway companies throughout Japan. This notably concerns the worst-hit areas, for example, Osaka and Tokyo. Hence, Tokyu Railways, a major private operator serving the Tokyo region,…
PM Kishida mulls quasi-emergency concerning Covid-19 in 3 prefectures Kanako Mita and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is mulling a quasi-emergency concerning the coronavirus (Covid-19) in three prefectures. Other prefectures are likely to follow if current daily coronavirus infections keep on increasing. The three prefectures of immediate concern are Hiroshima, Okinawa,…
Japan art and Buddhism – the mirror of life! Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kaō Ninga was a holy Japanese Buddhist monk who lived during the Nanboku-chō Period. Hence, he lived during a time of major hierarchical differences. This concerns the Nanboku-chō period (1336-1392) and the lasting convulsions of the demise of the Kamakura…
Al-Shabaab Islamists suspected of killing 6 Christians in Kenya Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Al-Shabaab (Al-Shabab) Islamists are suspected of killing six Christians in Kenya. The massacre of Christians happened in the village of Widhu, Lamu County. Pastor Stephen Sila told International Christian Concern, “I counted seven houses that were torched down,…
Japanese oldest person in the world reaches 119 years of age Kanako Mita and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times Kane Tanaka (born Kane Ota) was born in Japan on January 2, 1903. Hence, she reached the ripe old age of 119 yesterday. Therefore, one can only imagine the major changes she witnessed throughout her life – both good…
PM Hamdok resigns in Sudan: Internal crisis is growing Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The political paralysis gripping Sudan is continuing. At the same time, ongoing protests remain against the military and civilian elites who supported the initial coup under the auspices of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Therefore, despite the reinstatement…
Art of Japan: Depictions of women in Edo Period Modern Tokyo Times Lee Jay Walker The Kyoto artist Nishikawa Sukenobu (1671-1750) was born in the Edo Period. He became famous for his own distinctive artistic style. Thus his rich depictions of women appealed greatly to kimono makers. However, while the imperial city of Kyoto conjures…
Japanese art and the majesty of the sky Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In the four Japanese art pieces selected in this article, the passage of time is irrelevant. Hence, three artists are from the “past” while the other is “now.” However, irrespective of time, art will continue to create joy, passion, wonder, and…
Japan welcomes in 2022 with grimmer demographic news Kanako Mita and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times Japan will welcome 2022 with grimmer demographic news regarding the next generation. This concerns the lowest number of adults aged 20 since the government began to take records in 1968. According to the Internal Affairs Ministry, the number of…
Tourism in Nagano and Jigokudani Monkey Park Kanako Mita and Hiroshi Saito Modern Tokyo Times In the prefecture of Nagano, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is a great place to watch Snow Monkeys(Japanese Macaques) bathing in a natural onsen (hot spring). From a photographic point of view, the winter season from December to March is amazing. Of course,…
Osaka clinic arsonist and murder suspect of 25 people dies Kanako Mita and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times The brutal murder suspect of the Osaka Clinic fire died today from injuries that occurred from his act of murder. In total, the suspected arsonist and murderer, Morio Tanimoto, killed 25 people after deliberately setting fire to…
Buddhism and the Japanese calligrapher Sugawara Mitsushige: Bodhisattva Kannon Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The inscription of the Japanese calligrapher Sugawara Mitsushige dates the scroll to 1257. Thus the start of the brief Shoka era. Also, in this period of Japanese history, the famous Buddhist monk Nichiren (1222-1282) spread new ideas and reinvigorated Buddhism…
Afghan females protest for rights in Kabul: Warning shots heard Sawako Utsumi and Sawako Uchida Modern Tokyo Times A small protest of several dozen brave Afghan women demanding rights in Kabul was met by warning shots from the Taliban. Hence, a minor protest like this highlights the approach of the new ruling elites of Afghanistan. …
Japan art and influence of China: Sakaki Hyakusen and Buddhism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Sakaki Hyakusen (1697-1752) was heavily influenced by the Middle Kingdom (China). Indeed, some believe that he was of partial Chinese descent. Irrespective of this, this notable Japanese artist focused on a broad array of art forms.…
China and Japan Defense Ministers hold frank talks on Tokyo’s request Kanako Mita and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi held frank talks with the Minister of National Defense from China. Wei Fenghe, the Minister of National Defense, is a general in the People’s Liberation Army. Kishi hails from a…
Sudan tensions erupt again after protests in Khartoum Kanako Mita, Sawako Utsumi, and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of Sudan reinstated Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok last month. This happened after mounting internal and international pressure. However, with the military still having power mechanisms to alter the path to democracy, many in…
Japan poetry and a life blighted by ill-health: Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The final years of the life of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) were filled with pain and long-lasting suffering. Ultimately, his life was cut short from the ravages of tuberculosis and other ailments that stemmed from this. Shiki understood the frailty…
Japan art and Hishida Shunsō: A life cut short Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Hishida Shunsō (1874-1911) hails from Japan. He was born during the Meiji Period that witnessed momentous changes throughout society. However, if you focus on the art of Shunsō, tranquility flows naturally in his art. Shunsō sadly died at a relatively…
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